Managing Mastitis

We get many queries from farmers and cheese-lovers alike about animal health. How do we manage specific issues? What are our treatments and protocols? How do organic farms differ from conventional ones? We will cover a few of  these questions through these blog posts and have created a page dedicated to animal health on our websiteContinue reading “Managing Mastitis”

Healthy Soils, Healthy Goats

We had a visit from Peter Norwood the other week. Peter is a farm consultant from Maffra and a specialist in animal nutrition. Peter had been visiting central Victoria speaking to Landcare members and farmers about soil health and links with plant and animal/human health.  Peter advocates the Albrecht approach to soil health, which isContinue reading “Healthy Soils, Healthy Goats”

Heat and Goats

Keeping our herd of 100 milking goats cool, calm and collected – not to mention our two-legged milkers – is our focus as we head into this week’s heatwave. Central Victorian summers are always harsh, but consecutive days of 40 degrees plus can take their toll on a dairy farm. Goats don’t sweat. They pantContinue reading “Heat and Goats”

Who do you think you are?

Ivy was born on the 9th August this year, the last of the kids born to the maiden does (first time kidding). She comes from a long line of goats. Her mother is Hoya, borne by Jasmine, who came from Lilac, out of Buddelia. Muse is her great great great grand dame. Ivy’s father’s isContinue reading “Who do you think you are?”

Who’s Kidding?

We are coming up to our most intense time on the farm – kidding. Our pregnant does are due to start birthing on 9 August and it’s an expectant time for us all on the farm. The natural breeding season for goats is March to September; young females reach puberty at around five months andContinue reading “Who’s Kidding?”

Feeding the Foragers

  We’re well into autumn now but still no sign of a real break yet. We need good rain so our perennial pastures will provide fresh pick into winter, especially for the pregnant does. We also need rain so the pasture cropping seeds will germinate and grow, giving us extra spring feed. Not to mentionContinue reading “Feeding the Foragers”